May 14, 2026
Serving With Joy: MaryAnn’s Story Of Faith In Action
Written by Alisa Ledoux, Thrift Store Manager of Love INC Heartland
What is the backbone of servant leadership? Compassion, character, and competence. These principles emphasize caring for others’ well-being, acting with integrity, and possessing the skills necessary to effectively support and guide a team. If you want to see servant leadership acted out, come to our Love INC Heartland Thrift Store in Delano, Minnesota, and watch MaryAnn shine for Jesus.
MaryAnn Johnson has remained a faithful, fun volunteer at our store for over a dozen years. Her expertise is making all who come into the thrift store feel welcome—first with her beautiful smile and cheerful greeting, and additionally by preparing a delightful shopping experience through the way she arranges each donated item with love and care. When asked, “What is the strangest thing you’ve ever seen donated?” she recalled a gas mask that still has her stumped as to how to elegantly display the piece. She gave us all a grand laugh when she slipped the mask over her head to model it.
MaryAnn, her husband Wally, and their family moved to Delano in 1994. Although she was a busy mother and a very dedicated partner to Wally and his growing business, MaryAnn still wanted to give to her new community. She did her research and, as she put it, “I liked what was going on at Love INC Heartland… I liked that the profits of the store were helping the community… I began by answering phones… I remember a man calling in to ask for blankets for his mother, ‘because she is so cold.’” As MaryAnn recalled the story, her empathy for the man’s request was evident in her demeanor, even now. MaryAnn truly models extending Love In the Name of Christ with everything she does at our thrift store in Delano.
MaryAnn and her husband Wally attend the Catholic Church of Saints Peter & Paul in Loretto, Minnesota. She enjoys volunteering alongside others from various congregations around the Delano area. “We pray together and for each other’s needs… It feels like a family here. I feel like the Lord wants me to continue working here.”
When asked if MaryAnn had a wish for the Delano store, she said she hoped more people would see that the Love INC Heartland Thrift Store is a destination available to all—not just our neighbors in need, but to everyone.
We’re all so blessed to have MaryAnn as part of our family team!
Inspired by MaryAnn? There’s a place for you here. Whether you have a few hours a week or a heart to serve, we’d love to welcome you to our volunteer team.
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May 12, 2025
Love In the Name of Christ Heartland and The Highlands Church hosted a Spring Oil Change Event back in April. This event created a meaningful opportunity to offer something for free, encourage accountability, and extend compassionate grace.
The Oil Change Event is a Gap Ministry of The Highlands Church, in partnership with Love INC Heartland. In short, a Gap Ministry is a service that “fills a gap” within our communities—providing support for neighbors experiencing hardship. Participants in the Oil Change Gap Ministry are individuals or families actively receiving assistance from Love INC Heartland.
Something for Free
Who says, “You never get anything for free,” or “There’s no such thing as a free lunch”? Maybe—just maybe—if you do your part, there’s a chance to receive both a service and lunch at no cost.
Absolute Automotive Services in Delano, owned and operated by Chad Skartvedt, along with a team of volunteers from The Highlands Church, provided free oil changes, fresh coffee, and delicious bakery items. Together, they completed 22 oil changes!
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. — Proverbs 19:17 NIV
Something to Be Accountable For
To participate in this Gap Ministry event and receive a free oil change, participants were asked to:
- Sign up
- Drop off a deposit to hold their spot
- Arrive five minutes before their scheduled time. (Their deposit was returned at check-in.)
We expect people to be active participants in receiving services and support from Love INC Heartland and our church partners’ Gap Ministries.
We believe in offering a hand-up rather than a hand-out—a step toward independence and away from dependence. Our goal is to empower individuals to problem-solve and make thoughtful decisions about their unique situations.
A Moment of Compassion
Chad received a call from one of our Love INC families. The woman explained she would be late due to a domestic issue involving her children. Chad told her he would work her in and thanked her for calling. He extended grace and compassion.
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. — Proverbs 22:11 NIV
She remained responsible despite the circumstances, and by sharing her situation, she was met with prayer and support during a difficult time. Her communication showed character and resilience, embodying the expectation we have: to stay in touch and reach out if problems arise.
Tears still on her cheeks, she arrived about an hour late. The volunteers welcomed her and got her car into the service stall shortly after. Praise the Lord for His timing, as there was an opening available just when she arrived, sparing her from further delay.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:16 NIV
“You never get anything for free” and “There’s no such thing as a free lunch” might seem true—but the gift is free because someone (Chad and his volunteers) invested their time and resources: the oil change, the coffee, and the donuts.
This oil change came at no cost to the recipient, thanks to the generosity and hard work of others. In return, the participants were asked to be accountable—by signing up and showing up. Each one left with a grateful heart, a cared-for car, and a full stomach.
At the Oil Change Event, Chad and his volunteers invested in others—demonstrating their faith through action and serving with love, In the Name of Christ.
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